Cake and Ice Cream for Seamus

How did you spend Seamus Heaney's birthday yesterday? I spent it listening to him read his poetry. He read (and chatted) at Syracuse University's Hendrick's Chapel. He began with "Digging", which must be every writer's favorite poem. He read "Bogland" and"Clearances", "Mid-Term Break" and many, many, many others. He was witty and clear-voiced. He seemed slightly shy. He answered all questions thoroughly even the question everyone dies a little when they hear: "Where do you get your inspiration?" Seamus Heaney gave that question as much respect as the the more original ones that followed. For the record, his answer was "my memories". He continued with that thought before he answered others. Great night. Want to hear him read: http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=1392#

There is a great, short bio at the site too. You can read all about his Nobel Prize for Literature and his two Whitbread prizes.

Catch him in person when you can.

Happy Easter

Baby Animals just cute up the place, don't they? These sweet things are last Spring's versions. The bunnies are Twitter and Butterscotch. The duckling is Bruce. New bunnies, chicks, and ducklings will arrive at the farm in the next few weeks. In the meantime, just enjoy the class of '09

Revisions Require Tea

Earl Grey in my teapot which matches my Evil Twin's teapot. It's almost like revising with her beside me making silly comments, great suggestions, and encouraging remarks.




Sometimes revisions require M&Ms too.

FARM REPORT: Turkeys are here!

TURKEYS!! Look how cute (for now anyway). These babies--called poults--are quieter than my baby ducks and baby chicks were. They are destined for dinners, but not until Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's hard to imagine that these tiny things will be big Tom ( & Tabitha) turkeys in four or so months. Check out the dark babies in the picture. They are wild turkeys whose mother got clipped by the tractor and didn't make it. We rescued the eggs (3 of them) and put them under the heat lamp. Two hatched. I can't imagine that they will stick around as they get larger. Wild turkeys can fly; my birds will get so big that they won't get too far off the ground. But perhaps the wild ones will stay put for the easy feed. We'll see. In the meantime, how cute!

Mangled Poetry

Oops, wrong location for today's Poetry Friday Roundup. Go here instead:

http://www.tabathayeatts.com/poetryfriday.htm

No Poetry Friday

Yes, yes, yes, it's that time again: No Poetry Friday here at The Reluctant Blogger. So for some real poetry today--the official Poetry Friday--go here:


http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/

snail paced

I know, I know, it's been awhile. Today I leave San Francisco, my evil twin, Lynn, and our mini-(meaning just the two of us) writers' retreat. We have been diligently drafting new novels and eating ice cream. We also toured pretty parts of her fair city and Lake Tahoe too.

Lynn has a new chapter book out, THE AMAZING TRAIL OF SEYMOUR SNAIL. Seymour takes his time, gets his work done, and still manages to make great art. I will be taking my cues from Seymour this summer (though I will blog more frequently than he does). Yay Summer!

Check out Lynn's cover with illustrations by Doug Cushman.